Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-12
n,CumoND'S FOREIGN TRADE.
Hoz Valuable Her Trade WIN
south America IL to virginia.


many thoughts for Yirginians to ponder,
that we reproduce it in full
Less than thirty years ago the
largest flour manufacturing mills, with
perhaps one exception, were IN hlcn-
mond. The product of those mills
was the most acceptable i'll supplying
the South American demand, and a
commerce had sprung up of annually
growing proportions between Rich
mond and South American ports, the
principal contribution being flour,
though steam saw-mills and other
Richmond manufactured machinery
were finding increasing customers IN
that country.
The vessels taking ont our trade re-
turned mainly with cargoes OF coffee.
Z he exchange of commodities between
tie two countries-the most valuable
PRODUCTIONS OF both--had laid the
foundation Of desirable and profitable
intercourse, bidding fair to become
many millions in value and growing
each year. Such, briefly, is not m over
drawn picture in commercial interests
., that time as they appeared at Rich
mend and in Brazil.
Tie transportation commenced prin-
cipslly by ships owned in the North
and IN Europe, but Richmond enter
Prise quickly responded by placing
i,ichmond-owned vessels on the line,
and had nothing occurred to disturb
tiis movement in The carrying trade
il would have been rs progressive as it
bad become foremost in developing
tie new and profitable intercourse be-
tween the two countries.
Brazil and other countries on the
southern part of the American con-
tinent were more than glad to obtain
our four, then the best known after
tie effects of the voyage through the
tropics, and the machinery made by
cur artisans, rs those portions Of tue
Globe wero becoming instructed in the
advantages OF lsbor saving Implements.
Richmond was laying broad foua-
dations in commercial fields 10y
rcominC a chef coiiee-market aud
her own ships conducting this
crowing reciprocal Intercourse. ii
reference to the cottee-trade few car
Goes appeared Mt intervals, continuing
H. increase. There were first monthly
sales. then semi-mouthly, afterwards
weekly, and then twice or tlric. Z
week. Merchants from the interior 90
virginia and North Carolina com
meuc,d attending those sales, and it
Ray lie noted that just previous to the
changed situation between tue States,
which broke Of all intercourse and
iiockadod our ports, Baltimore, Phila-
delphia, AMI New York dealers had
commenced their visits to Richmond
for the purpose of making purchases.
Results have changod-Srcat!y
changed the commcrceof the country
| end Eichmond and virginia We're most
r,Oly affected 10y them. The Rich
,. ond mills are not Tie largest IN the
country now, but they are still there,
and ale doing a great deal IN taking mp
g. South American trade where it VAS
| disturbed, and can also all our aCricui-
| 'ural Interests. now SO sadly IN need OF
sustaining support. Richmond has
sncc rcgaining foothold largely in
creased in population, IN commerce,
| md in manufacturing. Her limits have
expanded, and her beauty and excel
nee newly adorned to an extent that
uics qualification and pride to every
tireinian.
1t was wheat, YES Virginia wheat, that
ave Richmond her grand position
laore than thirty years ago, as her en-
tcrpiising citizens looked forward TO
le bright destiny then daNning onour
capital city through the flour and cof-
f,e trade. 1t is true that the 1idewlter
| and iiedmont sections cannot send ia
tic cereal rs they onco did, nor doss
+. e great quota OF the James-'iyer Val
lcv pour down as OF yore. Nor can
tie Soutbside catch mp quickly with
tie progress once going On there in
| profitable wheat-cultuFe, but the Val
icy has increased, and the Southwest
u capable Of becoming superior wheat
country. Wheat.culture is the basis Of
cur Valley agriculture, and it becomes
| the duty Of our interior merchants, as
well as that of eyory producer, to seek
by every proper means to make 1t
profitable.
Now thst the Gallego has come into
full play, and if all three of the milling
establishments at Richmond are fully
employed, there Ought to be an in
creased demand for our hard rel wheat
Of the Valley. 70 increase the field OF
demand for the Richmond flour is then
a desirable object. 1t strikes us that ii
can be done to some extent 10y sustain
ing the Richmond importers OF coffee.
in proportion as we increase the Rich
mond coffee market We add to the de.
mand for orr Valley wheat All things
being equal in the matter OF purchasing
thcir supplies, OF coffee especially, Val
ley merchants can help the farming in
ter.st, upon which almost the whole
progress and prosperity Of this section
Is dependent, by liberal patronage tC
the Richmond dealers, for the more
coffee they import the more -four is ex'
ported. and the moro wheat will thus
be wanted.
We are truly gratified to observe thai
Richmond is moving by well-directed
means through her Chamber OF Com
merce to enlarge tae trade between tina
city and the States of Central ans
South America. That body will plac,
tie city in close association with th,
movement TO hold at Washington city
a centennial celebration in 1889 OF the
foundation OF the United States Gov
eminent, at which all the States an(
Gcvtrnments OF the other two Ameri
cas- will he represented. 1t Is believed
great progress in charging our trade
relations can then be instituted, anC
Richmond is especially alive to th'
share she can take i'll advancing her in
terests.
hope our people will think of thu
suggestions made. If we stand stll
prosperity will not come to us. IL
move by the line indicated costs NJ
more than an effort on another, an
desirable results are as promising by i
as by any other OF future methods
There should be a pride, too, in tn
effort, became of association with til
forward movement OF our capital city
our chief and central seat OF com
mCrce.
a Household Necessity.
George L. Griffin, Of Richmond Hill
Long Island, n. Y, recommends All
/ m m FL 49,,